Escape attachment for submarines



ESCAPE ATTACHMENT FOR SUBMARINES Filed July 29, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 amen Wyn Jan. 3, 1933.

A. SAEDER ESCAPE ATTACHMENT FOR SUBMARINES Filed July 29, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 3, 1933.

A. SAEDER ESCAPE ATTACHMENT FOR SUBMARINES Filed July 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 SIYWMVM 56072 OQederr Patented Jan. 3, 1933 PATENT oFFIcE ALVHI SAEDEB, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI ESCAPE ATTACHMENT FOR SUBMARI'NES Application filed July 29,

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in escape attachments for submarines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an escape attachment for submarines comprising tube members of different diameters having end to end watertight connections with the inner end of the tube assembly located within the submarine while the outer end of the tube assembly is exteriorly positioned with a water and airtight closure at each end of the tube assembly and respectively opened and closed during escape operation while the submarine is submerged in a manner to prevent material ingress of water into the tube assembly and to permit ready escape therethrough of persons trapped in a sunken submarine.

A further object of the invention is to provide an escape attachment for submarines of the foregoing character wherein provision is made for the escape of a group of persons during a single operation of the attachment and also for escape of the last person within the submarine in a manner to prevent ingress of water to the sunken submarine.

WVith the above and other objects in view that will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the submarine body with the escape attachment illustrated in elevation supported on the submarine body;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the escape attachment showing the difierent operating means for the closure door or gate at the outer end or" the escapement tube;

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2, showing the operating screw for the closure gate at the outer end of the escapement tube having its inner end disposed within the submarine body with the threaded part of the bearing for the screw illustrated as being removable to permit opening movement of 1932. Serial No. 625,821.

the closure gate independently of the operating screw;

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken on line at of Figure 2, showing a bracket support forthe escapement tube exteriorly of the submarine body;

Figure 5 is a. fragmentary top plan view similar to Figure 2, partly broken away and shown in section and illustrating the closure gate at the outer end of the escapement tube in its open position and the auxiliary operating screw for the closure gate; and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view showing a screw plug closing the inner end of the intermediate enlarged section of the escapement tube assembly.

7 Referring more in detail to the accompanying drawings and particularly to Figure 1, the reference numeral 10 designates a submarine body including an angularly disposed wall 11 through which the escapement tube attachment 12 extends, the inner end portion of the escapement tube having a water and air tight connection with the wall 11 of the submarine body, being supported in said wall, h

while the outer projecting end of the escapement tube exteriorly of the submarine body is supported intermediate its ends on said body by means of the bracket 13.

The escapement tube is formed of three tube sections 14, 15 and 16 aligned with each other and connected at their adjacent ends, the intermediate tube section 14 being of increased diameter with respect to the end tube sections 15 and 16 for purposes presently to appear. 8

The connections between the several tube sections include abutting flange plates 17 bolted together as at 18 with a water tight gasket 19 interposed between the abutting flanges 17 as shown in Figures 5 and 6. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the inner end of the tube section 15 carries an outwardly directed annular flange 20 having abutting engagement with the Wall 11 of the submarine body with a water-tight gasket 21 interposed therebetween the wall 11 having an opening 22 therein registering with the tube section 15 with the latter retained in position by the rivets 23 and inner clamping rings 24 A tube section 25 is retained in the clamping ring 24 in line with the tube section 15 and the open inner end of the tube section 25 is normally closed by a water-tight screw plug 26 shown in Figure 2.

The bracket support 13 for the outer extended end of the escapement tube includes bracket legs 27 having openings 28 therein for the attachment of anchor bolts 29 as shown in Figure 1 for securing the bracket 13 to the submarine body 10. A circular stra 30 carried by the upper ends of the bracket legs 27 surrounds the tube section 14 and is engaged with the annular flange 31 carried by the tube section 14 adjacent the flange 17 and is bolted thereto as at 32.

A remotely positioned manually operated closure is provided for the. outer end of the tube section 16, the outer end outlet tube section as shown in Figure 5 carrying an outwardly directed annular flange 33 to one side edge of which there is hinged as at 34 adomeshaped closure gate 35 with a water seal gasket 36 interposed between the flange 33 and gate 35. The operating means for the closure gate 35 includes a frame structure carried by the gate and bodily movable therewith and including an elongated frame plate having side bars 37 and 38 defining a guard slot 39 with a stop lug 40 adjacent each end of the side bar 38. The frame plate comprising the side bars 37 and 38 is anchored to the dome-shaped closure cap 35 by means of the end arm 41 extending transversely of the closure cap intermediate its ends with its free end 42 anchored to a side wall of the closure gate. The frame plate is further braced and supported in position by means of the arched bar 43 connected at one end as at 44 to the sidebar 37intermediateits ends while the other end of the arched bar 43 has a leg 45 passing through the outer end of the closure gate 35 for attachment to the arm 41 as at 46. A weighted arm 47 is carried by the arched bar 43 above the closure gate 35 to act as a counterbalance and to aid in the closing movement of the gate. A roller carriage is mounted on the side bars 37 and 38 of the frame plate, the strap carriage 48 carrying rollers 49 and 50, the roller 49 being engaged with the outer edge of the side bar 38, limited in its rolling movement by the stop lugs 40 while the roller 50 is disposed in the guide slot 39 between the side bars 37 and 38 being positioned in said slot through the medium of the enlarged opening 51 at one end of the side bar 37 that is closed by the side plate 52 after the roller 50 has been placed in position.

The remote operating means for the closure gate 35 includes shaft 53 having ball and socket connection 54 at its outer end with the carriage 48 while the inner end of the shaft 53 extends through a bearing carried b the wall 11 of the submarine body 10. As shown in detail in Fi ure 3, the bearing for u D n the inner end of the shaft 53 lncludes a tubula-r guide 55 extending through an opening in the wall 11 of the submarine and clamped in position thereon by means of the annular flange 56 engaged with the outer side of the wall 11 and having a water-tight gasket 57 interposed therebetween, the flange 56 being anchored to the wall 11 by means of rivets 58 which also secure in position an inner clamping ring 59. The shaft 53 extends through a. packing box 60 at the outer end of the tubular bearing guide 55. The inner end of the shaft 53 that projects into the body of the submarine is threaded as at 61, the shaft 53 being operated by means of a crank handle 62 attached to its inner end and the threaded portion 31 of the shaft 53 has threaded engagement with the screw collar (53 that is removably threaded as at 64 into the inner end of the tubular bearing guide 55. The screw collar 63 carries crank or gripping arms 65 at its inner end to facilitate positioning of the screw collar in the bearing guide 55 and for removal of the screw collar for purposes presently to appear.

The escape attachment is illustrated in F ig ure 1 in its closed position and to escape from the submarine, should the same sink and fail to rise, each person is equipped with an oxygen tank and mask and is then ready to escape through the tube assembly. The shaft 53 is first operated by the inner threaded end thereof to make sure that the closure gate has a water tight connection with the outer end of the tube section 16 and the closure 26 at the inner end of the tube section is then removed. One or more persons may pass through the inner tube sections 25 and 15 to enter the enlarged intermediate tube section 14 and persons remaining in the sunken submarine then replace the closure 26 in position in the tube section 25 to obtain a water and airtight seal. The shaft is then operated by one of the persons remaining in the submarine by means of the crank handle (32 to effect longitudinal movement of the shaft 53 by means of the threaded portion 61. thereof threading through the screw collar 63 anchored in the tubular bearing guide for moving the closure gate 35 to the open position shown in Figure 5 due to the reduced diameter of the tube section 16 with respect to the intermediate tube section 14, only a small quantity of water will enter the tube section 16 resulting in compression of air in the intermediate tube section l-l and inner reduced tube sections 15 and 25 and the persons within the tube assembly then escape singly therefrom through the tube section 15 and aided by the oxygen tank and mask rise to the surface of the water without injury. The persons remaining in the submarine then operate the shaft 53 for closing the gate 35 and this operation may be repeated until all persons have escaped except one. The last person to leave the submarine securely closes the gate 35 and then removes the screw collar 63 from the bearing guide screw 55 to render the screw "portion 61 of the shaft 63 ineffective. The closure :26 for the inner end of the tubesection 25 is then removed, the last person passing through the tube sections 25 and 15 :to enter the intermediate enlarged tube section 14 andasshown in Figure 6, the outer end ofthe tube section 15 is closed by a screw plug '66. To open the closure gate 35 from within the tube assembly, there is provided a screw *67 threading through bearings 68 in the :tube sections 16, carrying upon its inner end within the tube section 14,-, a crank handle 39 while the outer end 70 of thescrew shaft '67 is engaged with the linlr'Tl carried by the arm 41 traversing the closure gate 35, operation of the screw 67 effecting opening movement of the closure gate 35 which also moves with the shaft 53 as the screw collar 63 was previously removed from its mounting in the tubular bearing guide 55. The last person to escape the submarine passes outwardly of the tube assembly and water is prevented from entering the submarine by meansof the screw plug 6t set into the outer end of the tube section 15 while the packing b02160 carried by the tubular bearing guide 55 permits sliding movement of the shaft through the bearing guide and acts to exclude water passing through the tubular bearing.

From the above detailed description of the invention, it is believed that the construction and operation thereof will at once be apparent, and while there is herein shown and scribed the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim 2-- 1. In van escape attachment for submarines,

a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assemb y, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from with-in the submarine, the tube assembly including an intermediate enlarged tube section and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein.

2. In an escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the tube assembly including an intermediate enlarged tube "sec tion and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein.

3. Inan escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, the primary operating means including-a frame structure carried by the outer end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of theshaft being threaded and a removable thread bearing for the threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means.

L. In an escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the :side of a submarine ander tending therein,c1osures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the primary operating means including a frame structure carried by the outer .end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of the shaft being threaded and a removable -thread bearing for the threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means.

5. In an escape attachment for submarines, a. tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, the tube assembly including an intermediate enlarged tube section and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein, the primary operating means including a frame structure carried by the outer end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of the shaft being threaded and a removable thread bearing for tile threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means.

6. In an escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the tube assembly including an intermediate enlarged tube section and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein, the primary operating means including a frame structure carried by the outer end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of the shaft being threaded and a removable thread bearing for the threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means.

i. In an escape attachment ior submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from with in the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the auxiliary oper ating means including a screw rod carried within the outer end of the tube assembly and a detachable connection between the outer end of the sore Y rod and outer end closure.

8. Inan escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from 'within the tube assembly, the tube assembly including an intermediat enlarged tube section and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein, the auxiliary operating means including a screw rod carried within the outer end of the tube assembly and a detachable connection between the outer end of the screw rod and outer end closure.

9. In an escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, primary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the primary operating means including a frame structure carried by the outer end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of the shaft being threaded and a removable thread bearing for the threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means, the auxiliary operating means including a screw rod carried within the outer end of the tube assembly and a detachable connection between the outer end of the screw rod and outer end closure.

10. In an escape attachment for submarines, a tube assembly supported on the side of a submarine and extending therein, closures for opposite ends of the tube assembly, pri mary operating means for the closure at the outer end of the tube assembly operable from within the submarine, said primary operating means adapted to be disconnected from the outer end closure and auxiliary operating means for the outer end closure operable from within the tube assembly, the tube assembly including an intermediate enlarged tube section and an outer end tube section of reduced diameter whereby when the inner end of the tube assembly is closed and the outer end opened, air in the intermediate tube section will be compressed and prevent the entry of water therein, the primary operating means including a frame structure carried by the outer end closure, a wheeled carriage on the frame structure, a shaft engaged with the carriage and extending into the submarine, the inner end of the shaft being threaded and a removable thread bearing for the threaded end of the shaft whereby the outer end closure may be operated independently of the primary operating means, the auxiliary op erating means including a screw rod carried ithin the outer end of the tube assembly and a detachable connection between the outer end of the screw and outer end closure.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ALVIN SAEDER. 

